Renault Samsung Motors Co., the local unit of French auto firm Renault S.A., announced on May 17 that it will cooperate with small and mid-size local companies in order to develop a 1-ton electric light commercial vehicle that can travel 250 kilometers on a single charge for the first time in the world. Also, the company plans to submit an entry for a core industrial technology development program announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 3rd.

An official from Renault Samsung said, “Until now, the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV components has been focused on mainly passenger cars. However, commercial vehicles have been considered the next-generation EV market as they are limited to operation purposes, including driving distance per day and freight transportation. In particular, electric commercial vehicles are emerging as a potential alternative which can solve air pollution problems caused by older commercial cars running cities.

In a bid to replace existing 1-ton light commercial vehicles with the EVs, Renault Samsung plans to secure more than 250 kilometers on a single charge, considering the driving hours, driving distances and amount of freight on board. In addition, the company plans to develop electric light commercial vehicle platforms and domestically produce components.

Renault Samsung said the development of an electric light commercial vehicle could take about three to four years. The company will seek out small and mid-size companies with technologies in the electric commercial vehicle battery, related component and driving system sectors. Based on partnerships with them, it plans to lead the creation of the electric vehicle component industry ecosystem.